System and apparatus for displaying substitute content

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for performing a substitution for a broadcast content, includes: a substitute content engine configured to detect a break in a broadcast content and to show substitute content in response to the break in a broadcast content; and a processor configured to execute the substitute content engine. An apparatus for substituting broadcast content displayed on a screen, including: a customer premise equipment capable to receive broadcast content; the customer premise equipment including a viewing engine capable to permit the display of substitute content in response to a break in the broadcast content.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/883,098, entitled“ADVERTISEMENT SWAPPING USING AN AGGREGATOR FOR AN INTERACTIVETELEVISION SYSTEM” by Douglas A. Miller, filed Jun. 14, 2001 now U.S.Pat. No. 7,266,832. Application 09/883,098 is fully incorporated hereinby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to television programming contentsubstitution methods and systems, and more particularly but notexclusively, to techniques for substituting programming content duringcommercial breaks or other breaks in a broadcast content.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, personal video recorders (PVRs) enable a viewer torecord television programming content and then to view the recordedtelevision programming content at a later time. Further, PVRs may enablea viewer to record specified programming content on a regular basis andto delete the recorded programming content after a pre-specified amountof time. For example, a viewer may program a PVR to record a daily newsshow (such as the 5 o'clock news) on a daily basis and then toautomatically delete the recorded news show after one day since the newscontent would be stale.

In order to view the recorded programming content, a viewer typicallyproceeds through multiple steps, which may include loading a userinterface (UI) for display, selecting a “view pre-recorded programmingcontent” option from a menu in the UI, and then selecting a pre-recordedprogramming content from a list of several pre-recorded programmingcontent.

PVRs also enable a viewer to pause “live” programming content (and/orbuffered programming content) and to skip commercials and/or otherportions of live television programming content (or buffered programmingcontent). For example, a viewer can skip commercials when viewingprogramming content on a television coupled to a PVR by pressing a“skip” button of the PVR remote control device.

Thus, advertisers are concerned that the ability of viewers to skipcommercials when viewing programming content with PVRs will lead tolosses in revenue. Additionally, a viewer, while watching live TV maychannel surf and lose the buffered portion of the content shown in theoriginal channel.

Accordingly, there is need for a new programming content substitutionsystem and method that will overcome the deficiencies mentioned above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following Figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an interactive video casting system thatcan implement an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another interactive video casting systemthat can implement an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a customer premise equipment, such as a settop box, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a memory device of the customer premiseequipment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a television screen where the substitutecontent is shown as a full screen view across the television screen.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of a television screen where the substitutecontent is shown as the main screen view, while the programming contentis shown as a picture-in-picture.

FIG. 5C is a block diagram of a television screen where the substitutecontent is shown on the television screen foreground, while theprogramming content is shown on the television screen background.

FIG. 5D is a block diagram of a television screen where the substitutecontent is shown on one portion of a split screen view, and theprogramming content is shown on another portion of the split screenview.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram of a programming content that includes adisable feature to prevent disruption of the viewing of commercialsegments in the programming content.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart of a method of preventing the viewing ofsubstitute content during program breaks.

FIG. 6C is a flowchart of a method of permitting a user to viewsubstitute content during program breaks.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for substituting a live orpre-recorded (buffered) programming content with substitute content, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another representative customer premiseequipment, such as a set top box, according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a memory device of the customer premiseequipment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for substituting a live or otherprogramming content with trigger-associated information, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11A is a block diagram of another interactive television systemthat can implement an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11B is a block diagram of a system for permitting sharing ofaggregated substitute content.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method of collecting and displayingaggregated substitute content, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of a system and method for substituting a live orpre-recorded (or buffered) programming content (i.e., broadcast content)with a substitute content are disclosed herein. The substitute contentmay be, for example, a viewer-selected content or default content. As anoverview, in an embodiment, a broadcast content substitution systemincludes a customer premise equipment (or other processor) that canpermit the display of broadcast content. In response to the occurrenceof a break in the broadcast content, the customer premise equipment canpermit the display of substitute content. The break may be, for example,a commercial in a live broadcast content, a commercial skip segment in abuffered live broadcast content, a broadcast stoppage, or a non-activityin a broadcast event. When the break in the broadcast contentterminates, the customer premise equipment can again permit the displayof the broadcast content. During the occurrence of the break, thecustomer premise equipment may permit the display of the substitutecontent and images related to the break in the broadcast content.

In another embodiment, the invention broadly provides a customer premiseequipment (or other processing device) that includes a recording engineand a playback engine. The recording engine enables a viewer to selectprogramming content to record on, for example, a regular basis, which issometimes referred to as a “season's pass.” For example, a viewer canprogram the recording engine to record a 5 o'clock news show on a dailybasis. The recording engine may also automatically delete recordedprogramming content after a selected amount of time.

The playback engine, upon receiving a user-enabled command signal, cansubstitute the substitute content in place of the currently-displayedlive programming content or buffered programming content. In anotherembodiment, commercial breaks in the currently-displayed liveprogramming content or buffered programming content are automaticallydetected, and the substitute content is automatically displayed duringthe commercial breaks. The substitute content can be apreviously-recorded programming content, a live programming content, orcontent from an Internet Protocol (IP) channel, such as streaming video,electronic mail interaction, and so on. The electronic mail interactionwould be automatically activated during, for example, commercial breaksand de-activated (or paused/halted) during the non-commercial segmentsin the live programming content or buffered programming content. Thesubstitute content may be specified by the user or may be a defaultcontent.

In another embodiment, the substitute content is displayed during breaksin a video telecast or teleconference (where a teleconference may be,for example, a Remote Learning Session or Video Conference). A break ina live action in a video telecast or teleconference may occur, forexample, when there is a change in speakers, during the time whenequipment is set up, during unforeseen delays in the presentation, andso on.

The substitute content may, for example, be displayed in full screenmode on a television. Alternatively or in addition, the substitutecontent may be displayed as the main screen view, while the live orother programming content is displayed as a picture-in-picture on thetelevision screen. Alternatively or in addition, the substitute contentmay be displayed as a picture overlay on the television screenforeground, while the live or other programming content is displayed onthe television screen background. Alternatively or in addition, thesubstitute content and the live or other programming content may bedisplayed in separate screen areas as split screen views on thetelevision screen.

In another embodiment, the invention broadly provides a customer premiseequipment (or other processing device) that includes a trigger markingengine and a trigger viewing engine. The customer premise equipment canreceive programming content that includes Advanced TelevisionEnhancement Forum (ATVEF) triggers or other types of triggers. One typeof trigger, ATVEF B, may also be used and includes content as well astriggers. If a viewer is interested in a particular trigger that appearson the television screen, then the viewer can, for example, enable acommand to signal the customer premise equipment to mark a UniformResource Locator (URL) address (or other address information peculiar tothe Internet or other data communication network) where the address isassociated with the trigger of interest. The URL address or otheraddress is then stored for later viewing and access. During a commercialor other breaks in a live or buffered broadcast content, the viewer canthen signal the customer premise equipment to show and access the storedURL address (or other address) in order to view information associatedwith previous triggers of interest. When a website (or otherinformation) associated with the accessed URL address (or other address)is shown, the website may, for example, be shown in full screen on thetelevision. Alternatively or in addition, the website may be displayedon the television screen, while the live or buffered broadcast contentis displayed as a picture-in-picture on the television screen.Alternatively or in addition, the website may be displayed as a pictureoverlay on the television screen foreground, while the live or bufferedbroadcast content is displayed on the television screen background.Alternatively or in addition, the website and the live or bufferedbroadcast content may be displayed in separate areas as split screenviews on the television screen. The viewer can then, for example, obtaininformation or buy items or services in the displayed website. Theviewer may then return to viewing the live or buffered broadcast contentby enabling an appropriate command, for example, via the remote controldevice.

In another embodiment of the invention, an aggregator can be used toaggregate user-selected content. The aggregated user-selected contentcan then be provided for playback to the user, for example, duringcommercial breaks in a live or buffered programming content or duringbreaks in a video telecast or teleconference. For example, theaggregator can be used to locate and collect programming content (orportions of a programming content) related to a specific topic asspecified by the user. The collected programming content can then bedisplayed during commercial breaks in a live or buffered broadcast orduring breaks in a video telecast or teleconference. In one embodiment,the aggregator can provide the aggregated user-selected content to astorage unit (such as a PVR) for subsequent playback. In anotherembodiment, a customer premise equipment (such as a set top box) canperform channel switching to switch from a channel where the live orbuffered programming content is showing to another channel (e.g., adedicated broadcast channel) where the aggregated user-selected contentcan be shown.

In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, suchas examples of system components and/or methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with othersystems, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”,or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Additionally, the signal arrows in the drawings/Figures are consideredas exemplary and are not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted.Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is generallyintended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations ofcomponents or steps will also be considered as being noted, whereterminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combineis unclear.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted inthe drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated orintegrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certaincases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an interactive video casting system 100that can implement a specific embodiment of the invention. Of course,the illustrated system 100 is provided for example purposes only, andother systems or topologies may be used within the scope of theinvention. In an embodiment, a production company 104 producesprogramming content for transmission to viewers. The transmission issent via a satellite transmission transceiver 112 over an uplink channelto a satellite 102. The satellite 102 then transmits the programmingcontent over a downlink channel to a local studio 106. The local studio106 can insert additional programming content (e.g., regionalprogramming content) and/or advertisements as needed into theprogramming content. The programming content with the insertions is thentransmitted from the local studio 106 to a cable service provider 108.The television programming content may be downloaded to a receivingstation, such as a broadcast center (e.g., cable distribution head-end)(not shown) of the cable service provider 108, rather than or inaddition to the local studio 106. A reverse channel from the cableservice provider 108 to the local studio 106 may be provided so that thelocal studio 106 can insert additional programming content and feed thetelevision signal back to the cable service provider 108. The cableservice provider 108 then delivers the television signal over a cablenetwork 134 to cable subscribers.

The cable network 134 is provided by the cable service provider 108 todistribute the programming content to cable subscribers. A set top box(STB) 152, typically located on the premises of a cable televisionsubscriber, receives the programming content or television signal fromthe cable net 134, and delivers the television signal to thesubscriber's television set (or other display device) 154. In somespecific embodiments, alternatively or in addition, the televisionsignal can be broadcast over a wireless medium and received by atraditional aerial antenna or by a satellite dish, and then delivered tothe set top box 152. Alternatively or additionally, features andfunctionality of the set top box 152 may be integrated into a type ofadvanced television or other display device.

Moreover, embodiments of the invention can use other types of broadcastmedia, including but not limited to, digital cable systems, satellite,very-high-data-rate digital subscriber line (VDSL), web casts, and thelike. The features provided by the television set 154 can also beprovisioned, in one embodiment, by a personal computer (PC) suitablyconfigured with an adapter to convert television signals into adigitized format, and then to deliver the television signals to thevideo portion of the computer for display. It is noted that theinvention is not limited to any one configuration of display hardware asembodiments of the invention can be realized using alternative receptionand display arrangements, as known to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a connection to acommunication network is provided for the cable subscriber. In oneembodiment, the connection can be made via a cable modem 156 over abi-directional communication link 155 to a cable modem terminationsystem within the cable provider's 108 equipment. The connectioncontinues to a data communication network, such as the Internet, by wayof a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 132. The PSTN network 132is provided herein as an example, and it is understood that other typesof networks may be used for connectivity to the Internet. A cable modemarrangement can be used because of its high bandwidth capability. Insituations where some cable companies are not equipped to provide cablemodem service to their customers, various other arrangements can bemade. For example, a conventional modem connection can be used to accessthe Internet over a telephone line. As another example, Internet accesscan be gained over a DSL connection or an integrated services digitalnetwork (ISDN) connection using a telephone line. Wireless systems arealso available for providing Internet access. In one embodiment,downstream data transmission may occur via cable or satellite, andupstream data transmission may occur via a telephone line.

It is noted that the Internet is chosen as an example of a datacommunication network because it is a well-established network, andconnectivity to the Internet is easily made. However, it is noted that aglobal communication network, such as the Internet, is not required topractice other embodiments of the invention. A locally provided andmaintained communication network may be used in an embodiment of theinvention.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the set top box 152 can include a transceiver157, such as an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) transceiver, thatcan exchange signals with a remote control unit 158 or other user inputdevice. The set top box 152 can be a component that is separate from thetelevision set 154 as shown in FIG. 1, or its features can be built intocircuitry of the television set 154 (e.g., an interactive televisionset). The set top box 152 enables a viewer to select televisionprogramming content to view and then delivers the television programmingcontent to the television set 154. A storage unit 162 can also becoupled to or be a part of the set top box 152. The storage unit 162 caninclude a machine-readable storage medium such as a cache, buffer,memory, diskette, compact disk, tape, or the like and their associatedhardware, in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the storage unit 162can include a video cassette recorder (VCR). In another embodiment, thestorage unit can include a hard disk such as a digital or personal videorecorder (DVR or PVR).

As noted above, the local studio 106 can insert additional programmingcontent into the received transmission, for example, to provide cablecontent that includes locally provided channels. The programming contentis then distributed to customers over the cable network 134. In additionto local programming content insertion, the local studio 106 can insertadvertising content. Product supplemental information relating to theadvertising for participating merchants 122 can also be inserted.Product supplemental information can include information relating to thegoods or services being advertised in the commercial. In addition togoods and services, coupons and other information services can be madeavailable to the viewer, which in one embodiment can be obtained via themerchant's 122 web site 124 on the Internet. Triggers, such as AdvancedTelevision Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) triggers, which are related to theweb site 124 and/or to its contents, can be continuously updated as thetelevision broadcast is being received.

As noted above, the triggers, resources, or announcements can beinserted by the originating broadcaster 104, a local broadcaster 106, orby the cable system operator 108.

FIG. 2 is another block diagram showing an example of an interactivevideo casting system 200 and illustrates another point of insertion ofthe product supplemental information. In a specific embodiment shown inFIG. 2, a merchant 222, operating a web site 224, is located such thatthe merchant 222 is capable of inserting commercial prior to the uplinktransmission to the satellite 102.

As noted above, Internet access is not necessary to practice theinvention. A locally provided network may, for example, be used topractice an embodiment of the invention. The cable provider 108 cansupply the foregoing features, for example, by providing a web site or“walled garden” that is accessed by its subscribers. In such a case, thecable provider 108 serves as an intermediary and submits the purchasesto the actual merchants 122 or 222.

In another embodiment, programming content and/or other data may bedistributed to a subscriber/customer via a satellite TV delivery system,which may include a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system. A DBSsystem may include, for example, a small 18-inch satellite dish (whichis an antenna that can receive a satellite broadcast signal); a digitalintegrated receiver/decoder (IRD), which separates each channel, anddecompresses and translates the digital signal so that a television canshow the digital signal; and a remote control that transmits commandsignals. Programming for a DBS system may be distributed by, forexample, multiple high-powered satellites in geo-synchronous orbit, witheach satellite having multiple transponders. Compression (e.g., MovingPictures Experts Group or MPEG based compression) may be used toincrease the amount of programming content that can be transmitted inthe available bandwidth.

A digital broadcast center may be used to gather programming content,ensure the digital quality of the programming content, and transmit thesignal up to the satellites for delivery. Programming content may beprovided to the broadcast center from content providers (e.g., ABC, CNN,ESPN, and so on) via satellite, fiber optic cable, and/or specialdigital tape. Satellite-delivered programming content are typicallyimmediately digitized, encrypted, and up-linked to the orbitingsatellites. The satellites re-transmit the signal back down to everyearth-station (or, in other words, every compatible DBS system receiverdish at, for example, homes and businesses of customers).

Some programming content may be recorded on digital videotape in thebroadcast center, and the programming content can be broadcast at latertime or day. Before any recorded programming content are viewed bycustomers, technicians may use post-production equipment to view andanalyze each tape to, for example, ensure audio and video quality. Tapesmay then be loaded into, for example, a robotic tape handling system,and playback may be triggered by a computerized signal sent from abroadcast automation system. Back-up videotape playback equipment mayensure uninterrupted transmission at all times.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a representative set top box (orother suitable customer premise equipment or processing device) 152 aaccording to a specific embodiment of the invention. It is noted thatthe STB 152 a described below is one of the possible embodiments of theSTB 152 that is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. It is further noted that thecomponents shown in FIG. 3 may be implemented in other types of customerpremise equipment or other types of processing devices. In anembodiment, the STB 152 a includes a network interface 300, processor310, memory device 330 a, transceiver 157, converter 320, cable modem156, optional clock 350, and hard disk 162 (which may be any suitablestorage device), all interconnected together for communication via asystem bus 340. For purposes of explaining the functionality of theinvention, other known components or modules or software in a set topbox have been omitted in FIG. 3. Network interface 300 connects the STB152 a to the cable network 134 (FIG. 1). In an alternative embodiment,the cable modem 156 or the converter 320 may provide some or all of thefunctionality of the network interface 300, and thus, the networkinterface 300 may be omitted. In another embodiment, the networkinterface 300 may also provide some or all of the functionalities of theconverter 320 and cable modem 156, and as a result, the converter 320and/or cable modem 156 may be omitted in this particular embodiment.Thus, the channels shown in FIG. 3 (e.g., channel 322) may be coupled tothe cable modem 156 and/or to the network interface 300.

The processor (controller) 310 executes instructions stored in memory330 a, which will be discussed in further detail in conjunction withFIG. 4. The processor 310 also typically performs other managementfunctions of the STB 152 a.

The transceiver 157 can include an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF)transceiver (or other transceiver types) that can exchange signals withthe remote control unit 158 (FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) or other user inputdevice. The converter 320 can convert, if necessary, digitally encodedbroadcasts to a format usable by the television 154 (FIG. 1 or FIG. 2).In addition, the converter 320 can convert other data received in anout-of-band portion of a broadcast, such as television schedulinginformation to a format that can be stored in the memory 330 a or harddisk 162.

The cable modem 156 can transmit and receive digital information, suchas television scheduling information, if not included in the out-of-bandportion of a broadcast. In alternative embodiments, the cable modem 156may be a conventional modem for use over telephone lines or may includeany other component or module for transmitting and receiving digitaldata.

The STB 152 a may include the hard disk 162 or, in an alternativeembodiment, the hard disk 162 may be external to STB 152 a. For example,in one embodiment, a PVR (not shown) may include the hard disk 162 andmay be coupled to the STB 152 a. The hard disk 162 may store televisionprogramming content in MPEG format or other format or combination offormats.

The optional clock 350 is typically a digital clock for use with theengines that can be stored in the memory device 330 a (see FIG. 4). Theclock 350 can be updated regularly by using the cable modem 156 tocontact an online clock, such as the Atomic Clock at the U.S. NavalObservatory, or to contact a head-end at the provider 108 so that theclock 350 is synchronized with the clock of provider 108. Alternatively,the clock 350 may be set manually by a viewer or may be updated throughother methods known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a memory device 330 a in the STB 152 a(FIG. 3). In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the memory device330 a includes a recording engine 410; recording data 420; playbackengine (or viewing engine) 430; playback data 440; and applications 445.The various engines discussed herein may be, for example, software,commands, data files, programs, code, modules, instructions, or thelike. It is also understood that the various engines described hereinmay be combined. For example, the recording engine 410 and playbackengine 430 may be combined as a substitute content engine 432.Furthermore, the various engines (e.g., applications 445) describedherein may reside in other storage devices such as hard disk 162.

The recording engine 410 may enable a viewer to schedule a “season'spass” recording schedule, i.e., to record specific programming contenton a daily or other regularly scheduled basis. The recording engine 410may also enable a viewer to schedule the recording of a particularprogramming content at a specific day/time. The programming content maybe received by the STB 152 a via, for example, the cable net 134. Therecording engine 410 then can record the programming content onto thehard disk 162 in MPEG format or other format for later viewing on thetelevision 154.

The recording data 420 includes viewer-specified recording instructionsfor the recording engine 410, such as the particular channel(s) torecord, the time/day to start recording, and the length of the recordingtime and/or the time to stop recording. The playback engine 430 sendsthe recorded programming content to the converter 320 to convert to aformat capable to be displayed on the television 154, if necessary. Theplayback engine 430 may also convert the programming content into aformat displayable by the television 154 depending on the capabilitiesof the converter 320.

In one embodiment, upon receiving a user-enabled command signal 426(e.g., from the user-controlled remote control device 158), the playbackengine 430 can set the substitute content 442 (see FIG. 5A) in place ofthe currently displayed live programming content or buffered programmingcontent as shown on the screen 444 of the television 154. Of course, theuser can enable the command signal 426 by directly actuating a button orswitch on the set top box 152 a, instead of using, for example, theremote control device 158. In another embodiment, commercial breaks inthe currently displayed live or buffered programming content areautomatically detected by the playback engine 430, and the substitutecontent 442 is automatically displayed during the commercial breaks andpaused (or removed from the screen 444) when the commercial break endsand the main program in the broadcast resumes. Commercial breaks in thelive or buffered programming content can be detected by having the settop box 152 a monitor for triggers or tags that demarcate commercialbreaks.

More than one substitute content 442 may be displayed by the playbackengine 430. The substitute content 442 can be a previously-recordedprogramming content (e.g., advertisements, news, movies, and/or othertypes of shows) as recorded by the recording engine 410, liveprogramming content as selected on a particular channel by the playbackengine 430, or content from an Internet Protocol channel, such asstreaming video, electronic mail interaction, and so on. The electronicmail interaction would be automatically activated during, for example,commercial breaks and de-activated (or halted) during the non-commercialsegments in the live or buffered programming content. The substitutecontent 442 may be, for example, stored content as specified by theuser, may come from a selected channel as specified by the user, may becontent from a default channel, and/or may be stored content that ischosen by default by the playback engine 430. As described below withreference to FIG. 11A, the substitute content 442 may also be contentfrom an aggregated content collection that is based upon a criteriaselected by the viewer.

In another embodiment, the substitute content 442 is displayed for aparticular amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds) by the playback engine 430after a commercial break occurs in the programming content 446 currentlydisplayed on the television screen 444 (see, e.g., FIG. 5C).

In another embodiment, the substitute content 442 is displayed duringbreaks in a video telecast or teleconference (where a teleconference maybe, for example, a Remote Learning Session or Video Conference) that areshown in the television screen 444. A break in a live action in a videotelecast or teleconference may occur, for example, when there is achange in speakers, during the time when equipment is set up, duringunforeseen delays in the presentation, during broadcast stoppage, and soon.

Thus, an embodiment of the invention advantageously permits the user toview one or more substitute content 442 on the television screen 444during commercials and/or other breaks (e.g., broadcast stoppage) in acurrently-shown live broadcast content or buffered broadcast content.The user can, therefore, optimize his/her viewing time by viewing othercontent when a break occurs in a currently-shown live broadcast contentor buffered broadcast content.

An embodiment of the invention also advantageously enables analternative medium for showing advertisements, since the substitutecontent 442 can also include advertisements. The advertisements in thesubstitute content 442 can be shown during commercial breaks of acurrently shown broadcast content, during the skip segment (e.g., a30-second skip segment) of a buffered broadcast where the skip segmentcontains recorded advertisements in the buffered broadcast, or duringother breaks in a current broadcast content.

The playback engine 430 may also have the functionality of a displayengine for showing the images on the screen 444 (see FIG. 5A) of thetelevision 154 in various formats. For example, the substitute content442 may be displayed in full screen mode on the television screen 444,as shown in FIG. 5A, while the current programming content is removedfrom the screen 444.

Alternatively or in addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, the playback engine430 may display the substitute content 442 as the main screen 444 view,while displaying the live or other programming content 446 as apicture-in-picture 448 on the television screen 444. Of course, thesubstitute content 442 may alternatively be displayed in thepicture-in-picture 448, while the programming content 448 is displayedas the main screen 444 view.

Alternatively or in addition, as shown in FIG. 5C, the substitutecontent 442 may be displayed as a picture overlay on the televisionscreen 444 foreground, while the live or other programming content 446is displayed on the television screen 444 background.

Alternatively or in addition, as shown in FIG. 5D, the substitutecontent 442 and the live or other programming content 446 may bedisplayed in separate areas 448 and 450, respectively, as, for example,split screen views on the television screen 444.

Prior to sending the substitute content 442 from the hard disk 162 (orvia a selected broadcast channel as graphically represented by line322), the substitute content 442 is typically decoded by the converter320 (FIG. 3) prior to displaying the substitute content 442 on thetelevision screen 444. Similarly, prior to displaying the programmingcontent 446 on the television screen 444, the programming content 446 istypically decoded by the converter 320.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the memory 330 a may also store applications445 which may represent one or more application. The applications 445may also be stored in the digital storage device 162. The applications445 may include, for example, a browser for accessing a Uniform ResourceLocator (URL) address on the Internet and for permitting web pages in aURL address to be displayed on the television screen 444. Theapplications 445 may also include an e-mail engine that can detect whenan e-mail message has been received by the set top box 152 a. The emailengine can also permit the display of an e-mail message on thetelevision screen 444, the creation and transmission of an e-mailmessage from the STB 152 a, and/or other e-mail processing functions.The applications 445 may also include a streaming video engine forprocessing streaming video that is received from an IP channel.

The applications 445 may also include middleware (sometimes called“plumbing”) for connecting two sides of an application and passing databetween them.

The playback data 440 may be stored in, for example, the hard disk 162and include a list of recorded substitute content 442 (e.g., substitutecontents 442 a and 442 b. The playback engine 430 determines theuser-selected substitute content 442 to be displayed on the televisionscreen 444 in response to a user-enabled command 426 (e.g., provided bya user via a remote control device) or in response to the detection of abreak in the currently-shown programming content 446.

The playback data 440 may also include a tag 451 (FIG. 4) identifying aspecific recorded substitute content to be displayed as the defaultsubstitute content in response to user-enabled commands 426 or inresponse to the detection of a break in the currently-shown programmingcontent 446. Thus, the default substitute content may also be displayedautomatically when a commercial break is detected in the currentlydisplayed programming content. Detection of commercial breaks in aprogramming content is performed by, for example, detecting identifiersthat identify the beginning and end of a commercial. Various methods ormechanisms can be used to identify a sequence, such as, for example,include MPEG methods that multiplex special data stream(s) into thedigital video transport stream, encoding/embedding data in the verticalblanking interval (VBI) portion of the analog television video signals(e.g., ATVEF triggers), using out-of-band modems (e.g., DigitalAudio-Visual Council or “DAVIC” modems) to provide the interactivecontent, and other such techniques that provide information related tothe content of the television signals. Another method to identify breaksin the programming content is by scanning the closed caption text in theprogramming content for keywords that are of interest to the user. Thismethod can be used to determine the beginning and ending of breaksegments. For example, a local new broadcast can be broken into“headlines”, prominent local stories, national news, international news,business news, human interest stories, sports, weather, and commentary.A user may elect to skip the sports or weather section (especially aninteractive user that receives these content on-demand) and to use thissegment time to view buffered content (i.e., substitute content).

Further, the playback data 440 may also include tags 452 indicating theportions of a recorded substitute content that have been shown by theplayback engine 430 for viewing on the television screen 444. The tags452 thus permits the playback engine 430 to skip the showing ofpreviously shown substitute content. Thus, as an example, the user maybe viewing a first program (e.g., programming content 446) on the screen444. When a commercial break occurs in the first program, the end usermay initiate a second program (e.g., substitute content 442) to bedisplayed on the television screen 444. As discussed above, the user mayreduce the first program into, for example, a picture-in-picture 448 andbring the second program on the main window of screen 444. When thecommercial break in the first program comes to an end, the user canperform a swap function to bring the first program from thepicture-in-picture 448 to the primary focus on the screen 444. In oneembodiment, the second program will pause, and the tags 452 can beplaced by the playback engine 430 (FIG. 4) at the segment where thesecond program is paused. The user can then resume viewing of the secondprogram (based on the tag 452 location) during the next set ofcommercials. Of course, other types of pause features or techniques maybe used to indicate where the second program (substitute content) ispaused.

In one embodiment, a live programming content (such as content 446) mayalso be continuously recorded (e.g., in a live program buffer in harddisk 162) while the viewer is viewing the substitute content (e.g.,substitute content 442). Thus, if a commercial break occurs in the liveprogramming content, the viewer can switch viewing to the substitutecontent while the recording engine 410 records the live programmingcontent. The live programming content may be, for example, recordedautomatically (as programmed by the user) or upon receiving user-enabledcommands from, for example, a user-controlled remote control device 158.If the commercial break (in the live programming content) ends beforethe viewer finishes watching at least a segment of the substitutecontent 442, then the following compensation may occur. When the viewerswitches viewing from the substitute content back to the programmingcontent 446, the user can, for example, issue via remote control device158 a replay or rewind command so that the recorded portion of the liveprogramming content is rewound to permit the user the opportunity toview the missed portions of the live programming content. Since the liveprogramming content may be buffered in a live program buffer, the viewercan view the remaining segments of the live programming content afterwatching the missed recorded portions of the live programming content.Alternatively or in addition, the live program can be paused after theend of the commercial segment.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram of a programming content 446 a with a disablefeature to prevent the disruption of viewing of commercial segments inthe programming content 446 a. For example, an advertiser can pay thebroadcaster extra fees (or rates) on the rate card to insert tags 455prior to a commercial segment 457. The tag 455 deactivates the playbackengine 430 so that the viewer will not be able to view the substitutecontent 442 when the commercial segment 457 is showing on the televisionscreen 444. As a result, an advertiser can pay extra rates to thebroadcaster to insure the viewing of the commercials of the advertisersto consumers.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method 460 of preventingthe disruption of viewing of commercial segments in the programmingcontent 446 a. An advertiser or broadcaster (or other party) may pay(462) a multiple system operator (MSO) a fee or extra rate to preventdisruption of a commercial in the broadcast content. The fee or extrarate enables triggers or tags that prevent s subscriber to viewsubstitute content during a commercial break in the broadcast content.The advertiser (or broadcaster or other party) transmits (464) a triggerthat prevents the display of substitute content during a commercialbreak in the broadcast content. For example, the trigger or tag mayprevent an overlay with substitute content from being displayed duringthe commercial break. As a result, the display of a substitute contentis prevented (466) during a commercial break. The method 460 permits theMSO to obtain additional revenues from the fee (or extra rate) paid byan advertiser (or broadcaster), and permits an advertiser to preventdisruptions of commercials.

FIG. 6C is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method 470 of permitting asubscriber to view substitute content during a commercial segment in theprogramming content 446 a. A subscriber may pay (472) a multiple systemoperator (MSO) a fee or extra rate to permit the subscriber to viewsubstitute content during a commercial in the broadcast content. Theadvertiser (or broadcaster or other party) transmits (474) a triggerthat prevents the display of substitute content during a commercialbreak in the broadcast content. For example, the trigger or tag mayprevent an overlay with substitute content from being displayed duringthe commercial break. The subscriber can disable (476) the trigger ortag that prevents the display of substitute content. As a result, thesubscriber may view (478) a substitute during a commercial break. Themethod 470 permits the MSO to obtain additional revenues from the fee(or extra rate) paid subscriber, and permits a subscriber to viewsubstitute content during commercial breaks.

Thus, the tags 455 (FIG. 6A) may work in cooperation with an MSO and/orsubscriber authorization features to enable/disable the effectiveness ofthe tags 455. As mentioned above, a subscriber who pays an additionalfee may be able to disable the tags 455 so that the subscriber can viewsubstitute content during breaks in the programming content. Anadvertiser or broadcaster can pay (462) a fee or extra rates to an MSOto prevent the display of substitute content during a commercial breakin a broadcast content or to prevent other disruptions of commercials inthe broadcast content.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram of a method 500 for substituting asubstitute content in place of a live or pre-recorded programmingcontent as shown on, for example, a television screen 444. In oneembodiment, the playback engine 430 (FIG. 4) may perform the method 500.The method 500 may run continuously or at representative intervals.Further, multiple instances of the method 500 may run simultaneously. Afirst programming content is displayed (510) on, for example, the screenof the television 154 or other display device. The first programmingcontent may be a live programming content, buffered programming content,or other programming content, such as a video telecast, teleconference,or prerecorded programming content. Next, a substitute signal isreceived (520). The substitute signal may be received by the STB 152 afrom, for example, a remote control device or other device, such as theremote control device 158. Typically, a viewer will send the substitutesignal via the remote control device 158 upon viewing a commercial onthe television 154. However, the viewer may also send the substitutesignal at any time, such as when live action takes a break betweenspeakers in a teleconference. In another embodiment of the invention,the substitute signal is a tag in the broadcast, indicating the start ofa commercial.

In one embodiment, the substitute signal may be ignored if a commercialcontains a signal, such as a particular tag, indicating that the viewingof the commercial in the programming content should not be disrupted.For example, this enables an advertiser, upon payment of an extra fee,to prevent skipping of commercials or substitution over commercials.

Next, the substitute content is displayed (530). In an embodiment of theinvention, the playback engine 430 selects the substitute content fromthe hard disk 162 for viewing based on the playback data 440. Forexample, if there is multiple substitute content on the hard disk 162,then the playback engine 430 can select a default programming content orpre-specified substitute content as indicated in data 440. Further, if aportion of the substitute content has already been viewed, as indicatedby a tag (tags 452 a & 542 b in FIG. 4) in the data 440, then theplayback engine 430 will begin displaying the substitute contentstarting from the end of the previously viewed content portion. Inanother embodiment of the invention, the playback engine 430 enables aviewer to select a substitute content to view from a list of substitutecontent in the playback data 440 upon receipt of a substitute signal. Inanother embodiment, the playback engine 430 selects substitute contentincluding a live program that is transmitted along a specified channel.In another embodiment, the playback engine 430 selects substitutecontent including IP channel content such as streaming video, e-mailinteraction, and so on. The IP channel content may be received by theSTB 152 a, for example, via the cable net 134.

While the substitute content is being displayed (530), a small windowmay also be optionally displayed (540) showing a reduced view of thefirst programming content, thus enabling a viewer to monitor the statusof the first programming content. For example, if a viewer sends asubstitute signal to avoid watching commercials, the viewer will want toreturn to view the first programming content after the end of thecommercials. In one embodiment, the first programming content may alsobe continuously recorded by recording engine 410 while viewing thesubstitute content. Of course, the first programming content may also becompletely removed from the screen when the substitute content is beingshown on the screen.

In another embodiment, only the replayed segment of a sports broadcastare recorded by recording engine 410 or tagged by playback engine 430.To determine the replayed segment, various methods may be used such asdetecting for a signal difference that characterize the replayedsegment, or comparing the replayed segment with a prior recorded contentstored in a buffer. Typically, many people are probably only interestedin highlights (e.g., great plays in a baseball game) which are replayedin, for example, a sports news program.

In another embodiment, the close caption of a live programming content(e.g., a sports news show) is watched by the viewer while the viewer iswatching a pre-recorded or streaming content to view a highlight (e.g.,a great play in a baseball game).

In another embodiment of the invention, a countdown timer may bedisplayed in addition to or as an alternative to the small window. Thecountdown timer may count down in 30-second increments, indicating theend portion of successive 30-second commercials. The viewer can thenpause or halt the substitute content and continue viewing the firstprogramming content on the screen.

Next, an end-substitution signal is received (550). In an embodiment ofthe invention, the remote control device 158 can send theend-substitution signal to the STB 152 a. In another embodiment of theinvention, a tag in the programming content may indicate the end of acommercial or the restart of the non-commercial segment in theprogramming content. Tags 452 a and 452 b may then be stored (560) in,for example, the playback data 440, marking the portion of thesubstitute content that has been viewed. In an embodiment of theinvention, the playback engine 430 stores the tags 452 a and 452 b. Thefirst programming content is then displayed (570) in full screen on thetelevision 154 by, for example, the playback engine 430. In addition,the substitute content may be displayed in a small window in reducedsize and in a paused mode.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of another representative set top box(or other customer premise equipment or processing device) according toa specific embodiment of the invention. The STB 152 b includes a networkinterface 300, processor 310, memory device 330 b, transceiver 157,converter 320, cable modem 156, clock 350, and hard disk 162 (alsoreferred to as storage device 162), all interconnected together forcommunication via system bus 340. In one embodiment, the components ofSTB 152 b, except for at least some of the programming content in thememory device 330 b, may be substantially similar to correspondingcomponents in the STB 152 a. The processor (controller) 310 executesinstructions stored in the memory 330 b, which will be discussed infurther detail in conjunction with FIG. 10.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a memory device 330 b of the STB 152b (FIG.8). In one embodiment, the memory device 330 b includes a triggermarking engine 710, marked triggers 720, and trigger viewing engine 730.Of course, other applications, such as the applications 445 in FIG. 4,may also be loaded in the memory 330 b. Additionally, the engines 710,720, and 730 may also be loaded into the memory 330 a (FIG. 4) and mayenable the below described functionalities in the STB 152 a.

The trigger marking engine 710 enables a viewer to mark triggers (in abroadcast content) during television viewing for follow up viewing. Inone embodiment, the trigger marking engine 710 stores the markedtriggers in the marked triggers 720 where a marked trigger includes, forexample, a URL address (or other address information) associated withthe marked trigger. The trigger viewing engine 730 enables a viewer tolater select a marked trigger and access a URL address (or other addressinformation) associated with the selected marked trigger. Thus, when,for example, a break occurs in a live programming content (or bufferedprogramming content, recorded programming content, or other content), aviewer can select and access a URL address in order to access thewebsite (or other interactive site) that is linked to the URL address.Alternatively, the user may access other information linked to theselected marked trigger. The website can be shown on the televisionscreen 444 in various formats as similarly shown, for example, by thesubstitute content 442 in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and/or 5D, while theprogramming content may be removed from the screen 444 or shown as inFIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D during the break in the broadcast programmingcontent. Thus, during the break, the viewer can view information and/orbuy products or services from the displayed website (or other displayedinformation).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagram of a method 800 for substituting liveprogramming content or other programming content with trigger-associatedinformation. In one embodiment, the trigger marking engine 710 inconjunction with the trigger viewing engine 730 performs the operationof method 800. The method 800 may run continuously or at representativeintervals. Further, multiple instances of the method 800 may be runsimultaneously on a single STB.

First, a programming content is displayed (810) on, for example, thetelevision screen 444. The programming content may include a liveprogramming content or pre-recorded or buffered programming content. Theprogramming content also includes triggers, which may include associatedURL or other address information. The URL or other address informationis simultaneously displayed on the television screen 444 with theprogramming content. If a viewer of the programming content isinterested in the trigger, the viewer can mark the trigger by, forexample, sending a command via a remote control device, such as device158, to the STB 152 b, where the command is received (820). In a singleviewing session, the viewer may mark a plurality of triggers.

The marked triggers are then stored (830). In one embodiment, thetrigger marking engine 710 stores the marked triggers in marked triggers720 which may be URL or other address information. Next, a skip-programsignal is received (840). If there is a single stored marked trigger,then information associated with the single trigger is displayed (850).For example, if the trigger is a website address, the website is loadedand displayed. In one embodiment, the website or information associatedwith the trigger is preloaded by the playback engine 430 so that whenthe website address is selected, the viewer during the commercial breakdoes not need to wait for the website or information to load. If thereare multiple stored triggers, then information associated with thetriggers may be cycled after a pre-defined amount of time or accordingto viewer input. Further, a viewer may be able to select which triggerinformation to display from list of stored triggers. In an embodiment ofthe invention, the trigger viewing engine 730 displays the informationassociated with a trigger.

In addition to displaying information associated with a trigger, theprogramming content may also be optionally displayed on the televisionscreen 444. Alternatively or in addition to displaying the programmingcontent, a countdown timer may be displayed to indicate to the viewerwhen a commercial period ends. The timer may countdown in 30-secondincrements or other increments.

An end-skip signal is then received (860). In one embodiment of theinvention, the remote control device 158 may send the end-skip signal,which is then received by STB 152 b. Triggers, for whichtrigger-associated information has been displayed, may then be deleted(870). In one embodiment of the invention, the trigger viewing engine730 deletes displayed triggers from the marked triggers 720. Theprogramming content is then displayed (880) in full screen mode on thescreen 444.

Aggregation of Substitute Content

Referring now to FIG. 11A, shown generally at 900 is an interactivetelevision system that can implement another specific embodiment of theinvention. The system 900 includes one or more head-ends 902 (orbroadcast centers) to distribute television broadcast content andinteractive television (sometimes referred to as “iTV”) content to aplurality of subscriber residences 904. The head-end 902 includesbroadcast content processing and iTV services hardware and software(including processors, servers, storage media, databases, and so on),which are shown generally in FIG. 11A as a unit 906. The unit 906 canreceive national broadcast content and iTV content 908 from contentproviders, satellite feeds, servers, and/or other sources. The unit 906can also receive local broadcast content and iTV content 910 fromparties such as local studios, servers, content providers, and/or othersources.

A cable modem termination system (CMTS) 912 provides the head-end 902(and ultimately the subscriber residences 904) with access to theInternet 914. A combiner 916 places the signals and/or data provided bythe unit 906 and the CMTS 912 into appropriate channels of acommunication network 918. In accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, the communication network 918 can include, for example, ahybrid fiber-coaxial cable distribution network comprising channelshaving a bandwidth of approximately six (6) MHz. Some of these channelsof the communication network 918 are used to carry television signals(which may be accompanied by interactive content and other triggerinformation), while other channels are used for upstream and downstreamcommunication of data with the Internet 914. Some other channels(sometimes referred to as “out-of-band” channels) of the communicationnetwork 918 may be used to carry electronic program guide (EPG)information. In one embodiment, at least one of these out-of-bandchannels may be used to carry aggregated television programming contentand/or related data.

Examples of techniques that can be used to provide interactive contentand other trigger information from the unit 906 to set top boxes (orother types of customer premise equipment) in the subscriber residences904, via channels of the communication network 918, include MPEG methodsthat multiplex special data stream(s) into the digital video transportstream, encoding/embedding data in the vertical blanking interval (VBI)portion of the analog television video signals (e.g., ATVEF triggers),using out-of-band modems (e.g., Digital Audio-Visual Council or “DAVIC”modems) to provide the interactive content, and other such techniquesthat provide information related to the content of the televisionsignals. For the channels of the communication network 918 that are usedfor communication of data to and from the Internet 914, protocols suchas Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS),transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), hypertexttransfer protocol (HTTP), file transfer protocol (FTP), or othersuitable protocols/techniques may be used.

In an embodiment of the invention, ATVEF triggers or other triggeringmechanisms can be used to identify specific topics of particulartelevision programming content in a television signal. For instance, ifthe sports segment of a news telecast is showing highlights of aparticular baseball player's homerun, that baseball player can beidentified in the trigger. As another example, triggers may be used todemarcate the beginning and ending locations of that baseball player'shighlights, the sports segment, the commercial breaks of the newstelecast, or the news telecast itself.

In an embodiment of the invention, an aggregator 940 can aggregateuser-specified television programming content. The aggregator 940 caninclude a combination of hardware and software (such as one or moreprocessors, one or more servers, databases and/or other storage media,software and other machine-readable instructions stored on amachine-readable medium, and so on) that delivers its aggregated contentto client terminals of subscribers via at least one of the channels ofthe communication network 918, or via some other communication link(such as a DSL connection or telephone modem connection). The aggregator940 can be located in the head-end 902 in one embodiment, while in otherembodiments, the aggregator 940 can be located outside of the head-end902, including somewhere in the Internet 914.

The aggregator 940 can be communicatively coupled to the unit 906 and/orto the CMTS 912. For instance, in several example implementations wherethe aggregator 940 operates to provide URL addresses (or otherinteractive information peculiar to the Internet 914 or other suitabledata communication network) to the client terminals of subscribers, theaggregator 940 can be communicatively coupled to the CMTS 912. It is tobe appreciated that the aggregator 940 need not necessarily be coupledto the CMTS 912 in some embodiments, provided that the aggregator 940can aggregate television programming content from various sources andthen deliver the aggregated television programming content tosubscribers.

As mentioned, the aggregator 940 can be coupled to or comprise part ofthe unit 906, as depicted in FIG. 11A. In such an embodiment, theaggregator 940 can have access to a database 905 that storesuser-specified preferences for programming content as provided by aviewer. For instance, entries in the database 905 may indicate that theparticular viewer wishes to aggregate all highlights for a particularbaseball player for a specified time period. The database 905 mayfurther identify the viewer by residence address, identification code ofthe viewer's client terminal (e.g., a set top box or recording devicehaving network connectivity), or other information to uniquely identifythe viewer from other viewers. Then, the aggregator 940 can monitortelevision signals provided from sources 908 and 910 to the unit 906 forthat baseball player's highlights for the specified time period, andthen store the highlights in a storage unit (e.g., database 905) at thehead-end 902.

Various techniques may be used by the aggregator 940 to locate theuser-specified television programming content. In one embodiment, theaggregator 940 can read triggers of all television signals that arriveat the unit 906, so as to identify the topics/content of the televisionsignals as specified in the triggers, and then correlate the triggercontent with the entries in the database 905. If relevant televisionprogramming content segments are detected from the triggers, then theaggregator 940 records such segments. In another embodiment, theaggregator 940 can identify television programming content segments ofinterest by reading close-captioning data that accompanies thetelevision signals. Alternatively or in addition, the aggregator 940 canscan EPG information that is provided to the head-end 902, with the EPGinformation specifying data such as show titles, actors, subjects, andthe like.

Various other techniques can be used by the aggregator 940 to aggregatetelevision programming content and to provide the aggregated televisionprogramming content to subscribers. Examples of these techniques includereceiving the television programming content from third-party entitiesthat collect the programming content as a service, or receiving thetelevision programming content via direct feeds from content providersto the aggregator 940.

At the residence 904, a splitter 930 is coupled to receive thetelevision signals (including interactive content and other triggerinformation) from the communication network 918. The splitter 930 sendsthe received television signals (including interactive content and othertrigger information) to a first client terminal, such as a set top box152, which subsequently sends the signals and other information to atelevision 154. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, theset top box 152 includes components such as digital/analog videoprocessing unit(s), VBI decoders, central processing units, memory,video graphics processing unit(s), software, and other components thatcan detect, extract, and process trigger information and otherinteractive content that is received from the communication network 918.For instance, these components can extract URL addresses from thetrigger information and present the URL addresses as hypertext links orother visual indicator on the television 154, which the viewer can“click” to connect to the Internet 914 (or other suitable datacommunication network). The operation of these components is generallyknown to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the specificsof their operation are not shown in FIG. 11A or described in furtherdetail herein for the sake of simplicity of explanation.

As previously stated above, the set top box 152 can include or becoupled to the storage unit 162. The storage unit 162 can comprise amachine-readable storage medium such as a cache, buffer, memory,diskette, compact disk, tape, flash memory, random access memory (RAM)or the like and their associated hardware, in one embodiment. In anembodiment the storage unit 162 can comprise a hard disk such as adigital or personal video recorder (DVR or PVR).

In some embodiments, the splitter 930 can be coupled to the cable modem156. With basic embodiments of the splitter 930, the cable modem 156receives the same input as the set top box 152 (e.g., receives the sametelevision signals). With more complicated embodiments of the splitter930, the cable modem 156 and the set top box 152 may receive differentchannels. Whether receiving the same or different channels from thesplitter 930, a primary function of the cable modem 156 is to provideone or more ancillary devices 938 with access to the Internet 914.Examples of the ancillary device 938 can include, but not be limited to,Personal Computers (PCs), wireless handheld devices, companion set topboxes, two-way advanced remote controls, or other browser-enableddisplay devices or client terminals that have the capability tocommunicate with the Internet 914. The ancillary device(s) 938 caninclude or be coupled to the storage unit 162 (or other storage unit).

In operation according to an embodiment, aggregated televisionprogramming content can be sent to the storage unit 162 (or to thememory 330 in the STB 152) by the aggregator 940. This may be done byway of broadcast, IP multicast, or unicast from the aggregator 940 tostorage unit(s) 162 of one or more subscriber residences 904. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention, the aggregatedtelevision programming content can be sent to the storage unit 162 byfirst identifying the storage unit that is to receive the aggregatedtelevision programming content, such as via an identification number ofthe storage unit 162, and then sending the aggregated televisionprogramming content to the storage unit 162 in a format that iscompatible with the particular communication network and with thestorage unit 162 (such as a digital format). For example, the aggregatedtelevision program can be sent to the storage unit 162 by way of theCMTS 912, through a channel of the communication network 918 that usesthe DOCSIS protocol, and then to the cable modem 156. Alternatively orin addition, an out-of-band channel may be used to send the aggregatedtelevision programming content from the aggregator 940. In yet otherembodiments, the aggregated television programming content may be sentto the storage unit 162 via a different connection to the Internet 914,or the aggregated television programming content may be sent via one ofthe available channels of the communication network 918.

Afterwards, incoming real-time television programming content (orbuffered incoming programming content) is monitored by the set top box152 for triggers that demarcate commercial breaks. In accordance withone embodiment of the invention when a trigger is received to indicatethe beginning of a commercial break in the real-time televisionprogramming content, the television 154 is coupled to the storage unit162 for playback of the stored programming content during the commercialbreak. When a trigger is received to indicate the end of the commercialbreak, the input to the television 154 is switched from the storage unit162 back to the real-time programming content. During presentation ofthe real-time television programming content, a pause feature of thestorage unit 162 may be used to pause or otherwise mark the storedtelevision programming content, so that when it resumes playing during asubsequent commercial, it can begin playback at the proper location.

As similarly described above, the stored programming content (e.g.,substitute content) 442 may also be displayed to a viewer during a breakin the incoming television program (or during a break in the bufferedincoming television program) by having the viewer enable a command 426for displaying the stored programming content.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the aggregatedtelevision programming content may be delivered for presentation by wayof switching to a channel where the programming content is carried. Forexample, the aggregator 940 may first store the aggregated televisionprogramming content in the storage unit 905 at the head-end 902. Uponrecognition of a trigger that demarcates the beginning of a commercialbreak in a real-time television programming content, the set top box 152can send a signal to the unit 906 at the head-end 902 to instruct theunit 906 to provide the aggregated television programming content. Theunit 906 then sends a command back to the set top box 152 that instructsthe set top box 152 to tune/switch from the channel of the real-timeprogramming content (e.g., channel 945) to a different channel (i.e., adedicated broadcast channel 947) where the aggregated programmingcontent is to be carried. The aggregated television programming contentis then delivered on that dedicated broadcast channel 947 to the set topbox 152 by the unit 906. The process can work similarly (in reverse)when the set top box 152 recognizes a trigger that demarcates the end ofthe commercial break, resulting in a switch back to the original channel945 and the pausing of the aggregated television programming content.

The set top box 152 can also tune/switch from the original channel 945to the dedicated broadcast channel 947 (and tune/switch from thededicated broadcast channel 947 to the original channel 945) by havingthe viewer enable appropriate commands 960.

In another embodiment of the invention, aggregator 940 directs commands965 to STB 152 to tune to a particular channel (e.g., channel 947) at aparticular time based on user-specified television programming contentpreferences. The aggregator 940 may also command STB 152 to beginrecording and end recording so as to only record the programming contentcorresponding to the user preferences. The programming content may berecorded in, for example, the storage medium 162. At a later time,aggregator 940 can then command STB 152 to substitute a live programmingcontent (or buffered incoming programming content) with the recordedprogramming content. The advantages of recording locally at the STB 152may include the following: (1) the programming content does not have tobe captured and recorded at the aggregator 940 and then transmitted tothe STB 152, and (2) dedicated bandwidth for transmission of theaggregated programming content is not required. In this embodiment,preferably, the STB 152 will ignore commands received from aggregator940 if STB 152 is currently tuned to a channel, indicating that the STBis in use. If the STB 152 has dual channel tuning capability and dualchannel recording capability, then STB 152 may display the programmingcontent from a first channel and still record from another channel asspecified by the aggregator 940.

In the above-embodiment, if the STB 152 has only single channel tuningand single channel recording capability, then programming contentaggregation can be accomplished during periods in which the STB 152 isnot being used (e.g., during late at night or when the user is onvacation). This is because the only available resource is utilizedduring regular television viewing. If the STB 152 has dual channeltuning and dual channel recording capability, then one channel can beused for the aggregation of programming content, while another channelcan be used for regular television viewing.

It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, the unit 906 can becapable of detecting triggers that demarcate the beginning and ending ofcommercial breaks. In such embodiments, the unit 906 can send a command970 to the set top box 152 to tune to the channel where the aggregatedtelevision programming content is to be carried, instead of having theset top box 152 send a signal to the unit 906 that requests playback ofthe aggregated television programming content.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, various subscriber areas 904a to 904 c can communicate with each other via the Internet 914 or otherdata communication network. The number of subscriber areas 904 may vary.A server 980 may include an application 982 that permits the followingfunctions. For example, a user at the area 904 a may be able to accessdirectories in the memory 330 b or hard drive 162 b (in area 904 b) ordirectories in the memory 330c or hard drive 162 c (in area 904 c) to afile-sharing system via the Internet or network 914. The user in area904 a may then view and download the aggregated content in the accesseddirectories of the above-mentioned memory devices. The downloadedaggregated content may be stored in the memory devices 330 a and/or 162a and displayed during a break in a programming content that is beingreceived by the STB 1512 a.

Similarly, a user in the area 904 b may be able to access directories ofmemory devices in areas 904 a and 904 c and download aggregated contentthat are stored in those memory devices.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method 1000 for collecting and displayingaggregated substitute content in accordance with a specific embodimentof the invention. The method 1000 first aggregates (1005) substitutecontent based upon user or viewer preference(s). The aggregate contentmay then be delivered (1010) to a customer premise equipment (e.g., settop box 152) of the viewer. During a break in a currently-shown content,at least one of the substitute content in the aggregate content may bedisplayed (1015). When the break in the currently-shown contentterminates, the display of the substitute content may be paused orhalted (1020). The currently-shown content may continue to be displayed.

Other variations and modifications of the above-described embodimentsand methods are possible in light of the foregoing teaching. Forexample, the components, modules and software shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 maybe implemented in a processing device such as a personal computer or asuitable notebook computer.

Further, at least some of the components of this invention may beimplemented by using a programmed general purpose digital computer, byusing application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmablelogic devices (PLDs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or byusing a network of interconnected components and circuits. Connectionsmay be wired, wireless, by modem, and the like.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to implement aprogram or code that can be stored in an electronically-readable mediumto permit a computer to perform any of the methods described above.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention,including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalentmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as thoseskilled in the relevant art will recognize.

These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the abovedetailed description. The terms used in the following claims should notbe construed to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of theinvention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, whichare to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claiminterpretation.

1. An apparatus for performing a substitution for a broadcast content,the apparatus comprising: a substitute content engine configured todetect a break in a broadcast content and to play moving videocorresponding to the substitute content in response to the break in thebroadcast content; wherein the moving video corresponding to thesubstitute content is played on a portion of a display screen with thebroadcast content; wherein the substitute broadcast engine is furtherconfigured to detect a continuation of the broadcast content after thebreak; wherein the substitute broadcast engine is further configured toautomatically pause, without user intervention, the playing of themoving video corresponding to the substitute content such that a pausedvideo frame of the substitute content is displayed on the portion of thedisplay screen with the broadcast content in response to thecontinuation of the broadcast content; and a processor configured toexecute the substitute content engine.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the substitute content engine is configured to record substitutecontent.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast contentcomprises live programming content.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe broadcast content comprises buffered programming content.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast content comprises videotelecast content.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcastcontent comprises teleconference content.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6wherein the teleconference content comprises remote learning sessionbroadcast content.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein theteleconference content comprises video conference content.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the break in the broadcast content includesa commercial segment.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the break inthe broadcast content includes a commercial skip segment.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the break in the broadcast contentrepresents a broadcast stoppage.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe break in the broadcast content represents non-activity in abroadcast event.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitutecontent comprises live broadcast content.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the substitute content comprises buffered broadcast content. 15.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content comprisesrecorded broadcast content.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thesubstitute content comprises Internet Protocol channel content.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16 wherein the Internet Protocol channel contentcomprises streaming video.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein theInternet Protocol channel content comprises electronic mail interaction.19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substitute content isdisplayed as a main screen view and the broadcast content is displayedas a picture-in-picture during the detected break.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the substitute content is displayed in the screenforeground and the broadcast content is displayed in the screenbackground during the detected break.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the substitute content is displayed in a first screen area andthe broadcast content is displayed in a second screen area.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the substitute content is displayed inresponse to a user-enabled command.
 23. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe substitute content is automatically displayed upon detection of thebreak in the broadcast content.
 24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theviewing engine is capable to display a timer to indicate a time lengthfor showing the substitute content.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe substitute content engine is configured to record the broadcastcontent when the substitute content is displayed.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the substitute content engine is configured to pause thebroadcast content when the break ends.
 27. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the broadcast content includes a tag to prevent disruption ofthe display of the broadcast content during the occurrence of the break.28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein a first party pays an operator toinclude the tag in the broadcast content.
 29. The apparatus of claim 27wherein a subscriber pays an operator to disable the tag.
 30. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast content includes a trigger.31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substitute content isassociated with the trigger.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein thetrigger is associated with an information site.
 33. The apparatus ofclaim 32 wherein the information site is loaded prior to a break in thebroadcast content.
 34. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: anaggregator communicatively coupled to the customer premise equipment andcapable to aggregate at least one substitute content based upon a viewerpreference.
 35. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the broadcast contentis recorded to permit viewing of a missed segment in the broadcastcontent when the display of the substitute content terminates.
 36. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein a pre-selected segment of the broadcastcontent is recorded during display of the substitute content.
 37. Theapparatus of claim 36 wherein the pre-selected segment is contentreplayed during the showing of the broadcast content.
 38. The apparatusof claim 36 wherein the pre-segment is viewed while displaying closecaption text from the broadcast content.
 39. An apparatus forsubstituting broadcast content displayed on a screen, the apparatuscomprising: means for determining an occurrence of a break in abroadcast content and a resumption of the broadcast content; coupled tothe determining means, means for playing moving video corresponding tosubstitute content on the screen with the broadcast content in responseto the occurrence of the break; and wherein the displaying means isconfigured to automatically pause, without user intervention, the movingvideo corresponding to the substitute content such that a paused videoframe is displayed on the screen in response to determining theresumption of the broadcast content.
 40. A system for preventing thedisruption of break segments in a broadcast content, the systemcomprising: a first stage configured to: insert an advertisement in abreak in a broadcast content in response to receiving a first paymentfrom an advertiser; allow a subscriber, in response to a payment of asecond fee from the subscriber, to disrupt the advertisement in thebreak in the broadcast content by viewing substitute content during theadvertisement; and insert a trigger corresponding to the advertisementin the broadcast content in response to a payment of a third fee fromthe advertiser, the trigger configured to override the payment of thesecond fee by the subscriber to prevent the subscriber from disruptingthe advertisement in the break in the broadcast content; a transmissionpath configured to transmit the trigger from the first stage; and adestination stage configured to receive the trigger along thetransmission path and to prevent an attempted disruption of theadvertisement in the break in the broadcast content.
 41. A method forpreventing the disruption of break segments in broadcast content, themethod comprising: preventing a first user and a second user fromviewing substitute content during a break in a broadcast content;receiving payment of a first fee from the first user; in response to thepayment of the first fee, allowing the first user to view the substitutecontent during the break in the broadcast content, the second usercontinuing to be prevented from viewing the substitute content duringthe break; and inserting a trigger in the broadcast content upon paymentof a second fee from an advertiser, the second fee being in addition toan advertising fee required to broadcast an advertisement correspondingto the advertiser during the break in the broadcast content, the triggerconfigured to override the first user's ability to view the substitutecontent in place of the advertisement corresponding to the advertiserduring the break in exchange for the first fee.
 42. A method fordisplaying substitute content, the method comprising: displaying abroadcast content on a screen; detecting a break in the broadcastcontent; in response to the break, displaying substitute content on amain portion of the screen and displaying the broadcast content as apicture-in-picture; detecting an end of the break; and in response todetecting the end of the break, and without user intervention,automatically swapping display locations of the broadcast content andthe substitute content on the screen such that the broadcast content isdisplayed on the main portion of the screen and the substitute contentis displayed as the picture-in-picture.
 43. The method of claim 42,further comprising pausing the substitute content in response todetecting the end of the break.
 44. The method of claim 42, furthercomprising recording the substitute content in response to detecting theend of the break.